SSA Thistle Fall Series
August 19 & 20, 2023
Last I checked, August is not in the Fall, however SSA scheduling and Thistle invitational regattas on Labor Day and Columbus Day weekends, leave us sailing the third of our club series events (Spring, Summer, Fall) in mid-August. The weather system we experienced Saturday was more fall-like though, with an unstable westerly breeze, which oscillated considerably with blasts and lulls to keep the fleet on its toes.
Saturday, the wind was nominally out of the west, however it oscillated between northwest and southwest in an unpredictable pattern which kept PRO Eric Johnson busy trying to keep up with the shifting breeze, only to have it shift back more than once soon after the marks were moved. Sunday, we were treated to an August southerly with winds centered between 170 and 190, although a strong ebbing tide made the left side of the course more favorable, taking advantage of the strong current, as the course was located on the edge of the main shipping channel.
Eight Thistles were on the line, with newcomers, Ian Berke with crew Jeremiah Wright and Lucas Wray jumping into one of Ed John’s rescue Thistles: their first time in a Thistle. A few last-minute repair items, including fixing a very leaky bailer, delayed them (and Ed) from the start of the first race, but they quickly got into the mix, although old sails and a few slipped knots made their result less reflective of their improving performance. Vince Yanelli, sailing with his brother Ben and Lilla Salvesen won three races to best Charlie Krafft who sailed with Cairn and forward crews Marybeth Albritton on Saturday and Donna McKenzie on Sunday. Rosemary Foltis, sailing with Doug Freeman and Todd Barrett had a mix of scores from 2 to 5, but ended up with a solid third overall. John Gilmour, sailing with Jono Roberts and Stephanie Gajar took fourth and Bill Krafft with Molly Ratz and junior sailor Halsey Carter taking fifth, showing marked improvement as Halsey started providing input based on her junior and high school sailing coaching experience. John Majane, sailing with John McGrane and LeAnn Myhre ended up 7th while Ed John, sailing with Tory Gibb and Sarah Bova, ended up eighth. This event was also the first time in a Thistle for both Halsey and Sarah, and John McGrane as well. Great to see new people getting involved in the Thistle scene in Annapolis.